Zululand conservation project
Description of Zululand conservation project
It’s up to you how long you wish to volunteer for – two to twelve weeks – but one thing is for sure, this South African wildlife conservation experience is something that you will never, ever forget.
Situated within the Zululand region of KwaZulu-Natal province, you’ll be treated to some of South Africa’s most enduring landscapes as well as helping to conserve some of the region’s most endangered animals. From the Big Five to antelope, wild dogs and numerous species of bird, the wilds of Zululand are home to some of the most fantastic animals on earth.
By volunteering, not only will you get to observe wildlife, close up, but you’ll also assist conservation teams as they track, monitor and collect data on foot and from the back of a 4x4 safari vehicle.
Early starts and afternoon drives allow every opportunity to observe animals in their natural environment before returning to camp at sunset to prepare supper and sit around the fire swapping stories.
This is a very well considered project and has been designed to place no more than five volunteers in any one wildlife reserve. This allows you to have a truly authentic conservation experience as well as being part of projects affiliated with international conservation groups, such as: WWF, the Endangered Wildlife Trust and the Wildlands Conservation Trust.
Days are full on, the work that you do is vital and your time spent in Zululand, South Africa, will have made an impression on both yourself and the efforts of the conservation team, as a whole.
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Reviews
1 Reviews of Zululand conservation project
Reviewed on 10 Oct 2022 by Lynn Kraus
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Incredible volunteering assisting wildlife monitors and scientists at S African game. Schedule was rigorous and we weren't just tourists. Because we were not the road at all times, wildlife viewing was great and rewarding.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
This holiday is a commitment to do whatever is necessary to monitor and help wildlife. That is what everyone there is into. Monitoring includes going out int back of a pickup truck at 4:00 for hours (as long as it takes) and doing the same at 16:00 everyday in hot and cold. The casual safari goer might find it too much. Lodging is comfortable and food is what you make yourself. No frills but totally good.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Absolutely helped conservation of endangered species and since the park employs and is run by Zulus, the park helps local community. We saw tours to local school kids about wildlife. The kids were wide eyed and excited first seeing giraffes etc.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Great perfect for serious wildlife viewing. Great for us.
Responsible Travel
Planet
Wildlife monitoring is an essential part of keeping track of animal movement patterns, habitat utilization, and population demographics. More importantly, it provides early identification of snaring and poaching incidents involving endangered wildlife species. This valuable information, which volunteers are essential in helping to gather, has numerous management applications such as planning successful introduction and removal strategies for endangered and priority species.The Zululand Wildlife Conservation project undertakes vital monitoring of endangered species in collaboration with local conservation authorities and NGO’s, including Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife, iSimangaliso Wetland Park Authority, the WWF, Wildlands Conservation Trust, the Endangered Wildlife Trust, the Black Rhino Range Expansion Project and the KZN Wild Dog Management Group.
The project's staff are highly qualified, focused and dedicated, working tirelessly to ensure the protection of endangered species. This project is unique in that it actively advances conservation by initiating, implementing and managing monitoring projects on reserves which do not have existing monitoring programs in place, in addition to taking over existing monitoring projects on reserves that can no longer fund or manage them.
People
This project strives to adhere to the strict Responsible Travel policy and has been developed so that it benefits locals and has the community’s needs at heart. Understanding and respecting the host community is paramount to the success of any project, as long term commitment, support and the adoption of sound environmental, economic and social practices is the best way to create a sustainable future for all. This project employs many local people as another way of supporting its host community.Volunteers should be aware that some organisations operate the fulfil the needs of people wishing to take part in projects such as these which causes an influx of volunteers in some areas which can be detrimental to the host community. We can guarantee that all volunteers taking part on this project will be operating and working responsibly.
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